Pitt - Delaware Official Game Thread

[KirkHerbstreit]

I believe Pitt has a better chance of having more wins this year than they do in 2015 and 2016 (even though the teams will be better in 2015 and 2016). This years schedule sets up perfectly for Pitt.

http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/futu ... future.htm

[Crimson's Ghost]

Maybe, those non-conference schedules aren't too great, but better than this year. I'd be more concerned with how the crossover game with the other section work out.

Iowa, PSU, and OK State are solid teams but it's not exactly like playing Florida State or Clemson.

[S Cube]

A lot if Kirk's questions are the same questions that I have surrounding Pitt. All fair points.

The O line has some highly regarded kids finally in there. At worst, they will still be better than a few years ago. At best, they are a force. Most likely it'll be somewhere in between.

I don't have any doubts about Conner. He was mostly recruited for defense. Pitt took a chance on him as a RB and it worked out. Dude is 250# and can run. And he's only a true sophomore. Long term I still think he ends up on defense (if he wants to play in the NFL). These days, the best college running backs are 2nd and 3rd round picks. His best bet is to switch to defense full time. Pitt's best bet is to use him on both IMO.

Pitt can rely on Boyd and two pretty good TE's (Holtz and Orndoff) to catch the ball. It's not like Pitt is running the spread and needs 4 good wideouts. They will run the ball, use play action, and roll Voytik out. Boyd, the TE's, and possibly 4 star freshmen Jennings should be plenty.

But the key to this year is Voytik. If he produces like most hope, Pitt will win 7-9 games. If he struggles or gets hurt Pitt won't be bowling.

[KirkHerbstreit]

Maybe, those non-conference schedules aren't too great, but better than this year. I'd be more concerned with how the crossover game with the other section work out.

Iowa, PSU, and OK State are solid teams but it's not exactly like playing Florida State or Clemson.

Iowa and Oklahoma State are currently both better programs than Pitt. Penn State is recruiting on Florida State and Clemson's level and will continue to do so while Franklin is the head coach. I would say those schedules will be much tougher. Factor in the fact that Pitt also plays Clemson in 2016.

[Crimson's Ghost]

The schedule sets up well right now for a predominantly sophomore team. But if this team improves than it won't matter who they play in 2015 and 2016 because they should be comparable. Big IF but if they are better they SHOULD be fine. Time will tell. Nobody knows yet with Chryst and his teams. I am thankful Pitt doesn't get some of those games this year and those games fall during seasons that have potential to be good for Pitt.

But my main point is while Iowa,Notre Dame,Penn State, and Oklahoma State are good teams and could be really tough in future seasons, they aren't unbeatable and we don't know how they will be going into those games either.

I'm just happy to be talking football again, but I'm a little more worries about the Blue Hens in two days than Penn state in two years lol

[KirkHerbstreit]

From everything I have read about Delaware, they are nothing for Pitt to be worried about. They are predicted to finish 6th in their conference. I don't think they will put up as much of a fight as Old Dominion did last year.

[S Cube]

On Chryst and recruiting...

Obviously you'd rather be bringing in the big time recruits like Franklin is doing. I'm not going to try to say that stars don't matter, because they do. But Chryst has done a really good job of finding 2 and 3 star guys who have already outperformed those star ratings as young players. He is following the Wisconsin model and so far it seems to be par for the course.

Anyway, two years is so far away and so much can happen between now and then that it isn't even worth debating right now.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Kirk, I agree I'm not overly concerned with Delaware....just a few match-ups. Delaware has a veteran ex-D1 QB (Greensburg, PA native) and a very good receiver. For a team with a questionable set of corners, that's the concern.


S Cube, obviously we would all like to see HCPC recruit a little better, but he doesn't have a lot to work with right now, until he starts winning a few more games he just doesn't have a lot to sell. Pitt has a good campus, facilities, academics, ect that sort of thing...but they need to prove it on the field. Pitt still does get a few four stars each year, and teams like Michigan State and Wisconsin survive on having solid cores made up of 3 stars and unsung guys, and have a few blue chippers plug the holes. I hope that's something Pitt can do. To be honest, I like his recruiting approach on offense, and he's gotten some quality guys....defense is where I hope he know something we don't know. Pitt has backs, receivers, tight ends, and a big line. I'm not worried there, but will he have a defense to stop anybody?

[Crimson's Ghost]

Missed a good portion of the game being out in Columbus for a wedding. Caught a quarter and Pitt was hands down just better in all aspects. Delaware basically was a scrimmage. I can't point to one thing they did well.

The biggest problem of the game was Boyd hurting his finger, but he should be good to go on Friday.

Voytik wasn't asked to do a lot but made then throws he has to.

Conner is an animal and he was probably bigger than some of their DLinemen. I know the jury is still out on the kid but for 6'3" 250 the kid can move. The other backs seemed to do OK also. James had a few touchdowns and Bennett looked Ok off his shoulder injury.

Boyd is just an incredible athlete. Looks more confident this year. After Antonio Brown, he very well could be the second best receiver in Pittsburgh.

The line averages 315 and Delaware's DL averaged 260. And it showed. I think this unit will be better but I still need to see it against a D1 team. But 2 four stars a 5 star, a Rinington candidate and a 3 year starting guard....they should be good.

DL made plays, linebackers made plays. I was impressed with the secondary, thought that they would have more trouble than they did. Vinopal is solid after being an early season goat last year, the ND game changed him and it seemed to click. Pitts has the talent, and Terrish Webb may be a star in the making. The other corner spot still worries me but Mitchell and Maddox did OK.

Boston College on Friday, time to step it up.